350-Powered 1957 GMC Dayton T. Brown Van

Sold for $18,250 on 3/12/24

350-Powered 1957 GMC Dayton T. Brown Van

This aluminum-bodied step van was built on a 1957 GMC truck chassis and constructed by Dayton T. Brown Inc. of Copiague, New York. The vehicle is powered by a 350ci Chevrolet V8 paired with a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission, and additional equipment includes red-painted 19.5″ steel wheels, hubcaps, four-wheel drum brakes, side exhaust outlets, diamond-plate trim, sliding side doors, replacement Stewart-Warner gauges, a high-back driver seat, and a rear bench seat. The van was acquired by the seller out of New Jersey in 2019, and subsequent work has involved installing a custom-fabricated wraparound windshield, replacing the diamond-plate rear trim and the battery, and changing the engine oil and coolant. The vehicle was previously listed on BaT in August 2023. This van is now offered with records from current ownership and New York registration in the name of the seller’s LLC.

The aluminum body was manufactured by Dayton T. Brown Inc., which went on to become a defense contractor for the United States military in 1966. The van features sliding front doors along with raised molding running the length of each side. Other exterior details include a wraparound tinted windshield, side mirrors, windows in the rear double doors, cab marker lights, LED turn signals, and side-exit exhaust outlets. Work completed under current ownership included fabricating and installing the tinted windshield and associated seals along with replacing the diamond-plate rear trim. The aluminum bodywork shows signs of oxidization and faded lettering from a plumbing and air-conditioning company. Records highlighting the windshield fabrication and installation are provided in the photo gallery below.

Red-painted 19.5″ steel wheels with GMC hubcaps are mounted with Roadlux R216 radial tires that are said to require replacement. The van rides on a GMC chassis with solid front and rear axles along with leaf springs, and the suspension bushings are worn. Braking is handled by four-wheel drums that were reportedly inspected under current ownership. The seller states that the vehicle measures 197″ in length and the overall height is 100″.

The high-back driver seat and the rear bench wear cloth upholstery and are complemented by aluminum interior panels. Additional cabin equipment includes a B&M shifter, a carpeted dash cover, sliding side windows, and a glove compartment. The interior panels show wear, and the glovebox latch is missing. The heater element is exposed atop the dashboard, and a replacement heater shut-off valve was installed under current ownership.

The three-spoke steering wheel fronts replacement Stewart-Warner instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary readouts for fuel level, voltage, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 0 miles and does not function, nor does the speedometer. Actual chassis mileage is unknown, and the van is said to have been driven approximately 250 miles under current ownership.

A wood bulkhead with a door separates the cabin from the cargo area, which is said to measure 86″ high and 91″ deep in this configuration. Reflective heat insulation is applied to the underside of the roof.

The replacement 350ci V8 was installed under prior ownership and is equipped with an Edelbrock air-cleaner cover. The battery was replaced and the engine oil and coolant were changed under current ownership.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission. The seller notes that the transmission was serviced under current ownership and the exhaust was replaced by a previous owner. There is evidence of corrosion on the underside.

The van does not have a title, as it is registered in a state that does not issue titles for vehicles of its age. It is being sold on its New York registration, which lists the van as a 1957 GMC.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

Winning Bid	USD $18,250 by RBeal
Auction Ended	March 12, 2024 at 11:17AM PT
Bids	23

8,716 views

560 watchers

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